While a few people are still debating the merits and validity of “online church” the wise folks at Monk Development are powering forward with the newest addition in their stockpile of well-designed tools.  Highly regarded for their beautiful, effective and innovative products, like Ekklesia 360,  Monk always delivers.   I myself, have used Ekklesia 360 for my church website and was blissfully happy with it’s UI and simplicity.   Here’s their newest happy client – Denver Seminary.

This week marks the public launch of the Cobblestone Community Network, a powerful (I mean really powerful) new resource for astute churches looking to collect, nourish and empower online communities within their church.   This means, of course, the ability to reach far beyond the actual church walls, since virtually everyone is connected now online.

Cobblestone is customizable & private, thus your church can use the internet to build connections & relationships with a secure, personalizable tool.  The Cobblestone Community Network won’t be limited to churches either, since eventually non-profits, schools, and all organizations will want to enrich their online communities.   And they’ll want to develop ways to organize and strengthen connections so everyone can get the best out of being part of their community.

As powerful web application, Cobblestone automates many of the processes that allow the people in your church to focus on relationships rather than administration.   For example, you can use Cobblestone to connect new members to helpful support & care groups located nearest them.  Or use Cobblestone to manage events on both the church public website and within your community site.  As importantly, you can push events into third-party social media sites such as Facebook.

Learn how Cobblestone can help your church:

• Assist people in finding opportunities to serve
• Connect people in community
• Manage church events
• so much more

Earlier today I co-hosted an online webinar with Drew Goodmanson of Monk Development entitled Beyond the Web 2.0 Noise: How to use the Internet to Disciple & Create Real Community.  We had so much to cover that we didn’t exactly get as specific as we will need to in order to provide the best resources for churches to actually use the internet to disciple individuals and create & nourish online communities.

But, we got a good start, particularly for surveying the landscape and for setting the stage to interpret the additional data that will be compiled.  I remember having a conversation with WP Developer Cory Miller a couple of years ago and we pondered together “who is compiling the data” besides Pew, Annenberg, etc.?  Now I know.

Here’s how it was billed:

Are we tired of hearing about Web 2.0?  The noise of social networking and private virtual communities continues to grow. Yet, we are still very early on in understanding what churches are doing effectively online in these areas.  Are churches really able to gather people, create community and foster discipleship?  Do you want to know what is working and what is a waste of time?  Come learn from a 2009 study on “The State of the Church Online: Social & Community Networks” involving over 500-hundred respondents and numerous church-focused products and social network sites.  Learn what churches are doing effectively and what they are doing that may actually be counter-productive to being the church.  This session will equip you with practical strategies in the social & community network space.

I made opening remarks about internet values and Drew presented the earliest data being compiled about internet usage patterns among those who participated in the recent survey The State of the Church Online: Social & Community Networks.

Some key findings include:

* Facebook was the most used Church Web Media strategy.
* Of the Christian Social Networking sites reviewed 82% of respondents had no awareness that they existed.

Top 5 Requested Features/Functionality sought:

1. Ability to find, register, and/or get details for events.
2. Ability to post prayer requests or needs.
3. Ability to find serving opportunities at the church based on interest or gifts.
4. Ability to join and interact with home/bible study groups.
5. Integration with existing church website.

If you were part of the webinar and want to weigh in, please do.  The questions we are getting will shape the presentation of the next webinar.

Here is a link to the site where the pdf/results are accessible:
http://www.churchtechreview.com/christian-social-network/churches-christian-social-networking-study/

Just before I left for Innovation3, I was contacted by my friend, Drew Goodmanson of Monk Development (and elder/pastor at Kaleo Church in San Diego).  Drew is someone I really respect, both as a Christian leader and as a savvy business person.  He was one of the first people I discovered who was using the Internet (and SEO) to reach people for Christ.  You can read his story elsewhere online but I’m inviting you to help him & those who are studying social media and the Church by taking this simple 5 minute survey.  Here’s an overview….

Are churches using the internet to gather, disciple and build community?

In the last couple years a number of new private church community networks have been launched in addition to numerous social networking sites.   We are still very early on in understanding what churches are doing effectively online.

We invite you to participate in this first survey of several that examine the State of the Church Online.  This survey in particular begins by examining what churches are doing with social and community networks.  How pervasive are the use of these web applications?

Future surveys will expand to examine what Christians are doing with social networks, how churches are using their websites and other online strategies.  Our prayer is that these studies help bring clarity and guidance for churches to pursue excellence online to the glory of God.

This survey is being led by Kevin Ring.  Kevin brings years of experience from Bainbridge Consulting leading qualitative research projects – designing and executing customer/competitive research and analysis across multiple industries, focused on Fortune 500 companies including Google, Yahoo!, Citibank, Hewitt Associates, Gallup, Bank of America and others.

The survey is free and takes very little time to complete.  Feel free to leave your name here (below in the comments) if you participate.

Link to it here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=bQWu6K2vXJyKE1aGHWr8_2fg_3d_3d